THE FLOWERS & MONASTERIES Western & Central Bhutan
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THE FLOWERS & MONASTERIES of Western & Central Bhutan SMALL GROUP DEPARTURE 10 NIGHT FULLBOARD PACKAGE (3 nights Uma Paro & 7 nights Tourist Class hotels) June 2 nd to 12 th 2009 One of the ancient names given to Bhutan was 'Southern Valleys of Medicinal Herbs' and thanks to the enlightened leadership of Bhutan’s kings and the strong conservation ethic of the Bhutanese people an estimated 770 species of birds and more than 50 species of rhododendron alone, besides a large variety of medicinal plants and orchids, are found in the country. Soon after Losar, the Bhutanese New Year, the glories of the Kingdom's flora slowly begin to unfold, the landscape sheds its winter coat taking on every shade of green, up at the Dochula Pass two varieties of Primula Denticulata emerge through the frost covered ground, the Chele La is carpeted in Edelweiss and in early June rhododendrons are in full bloom. Encompassing seven valleys, of differing altitudes, and three high passes at this time of the year makes for the perfect experience for culture and nature lovers alike. Traveling through Bhutan’s ethereal landscape on the way to the wild centre, we pass countless golden roofed monasteries and prayer flag covered hilltops, navigate endless emerald valleys and ancient forests with snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the background throughout. This ten-night package promises an easy yet comprehensive experience of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, with accommodation split between the luxury resort of Uma Paro, and carefully-sourced, traditional hotels in the less developed regions. The adventure starts with an exploration of the bustling markets and colorful museums of the capital Thimpu, before heading over the spectacular Dochu La (pass) and following the Mo Chhu (Mother River) to Punakha and the Divine Madman’s temple Chimmi Lhakhang. Sampling this Himalayan kingdom’s inimitable Buddhist culture along the way, our journey continues on through the Black Mountains past yaks grazing on dwarf bamboo, reaching the sacred heart of Bhutan, the four valleys of Bumthang – beautifully rustic and deeply spiritual at the same time. On the return journey we stopover in Phobjikha an unusually wide, beautiful alpine wetland valley where the rare Black Necked Cranes fly down from Tibet to spend the winter. Once settled into the comfortable Uma Paro, the main temples, monasteries and dzongs of the Paro Valley are on our Flowers & Monasteries Central & West Bhutan GROUP 10 Nights June 2009 PB doorstep with the awe inspiring walk up to the Tiger’s Nest monastery as a fitting highlight to end this exploration of the Land of the Thunderdragon. DAY 1 Tuesday June 2 nd Arrival at Paro International Airport, Thimpu Sightseeing your Uma Paro guide will welcome you at the airport for the one hour scenic drive to Thimpu, winding alongside two snaking rivers and passing countless fine examples of the quaint, traditional farmhouse architecture of Bhutan. The capital itself sprawls up the wooded western hillside of the Wang Chhu and is the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimpu is a bustling town where traditional ways mingle with modern introductions. After check in to our hotel in the heart of the capital, the sightseeing begins. Duration of drive: 1 - 1.5 hours (50km) Overnight: Jhomalhari Hotel, Thimpu DAY 2 Wednesday June 3 rd Thimpu Sightseeing, Punakha Valley via Dochu La, Chimmi Lhakhang after breakfast, the sightseeing begins in earnest and depending on opening hours, guests’ interests and time, your guide may include some of the following in your private schedule: The National Memorial Chorten, Trashi Chhoe Dzong: the “fortress of the glorious religion”, the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the National Textile Museum, the Weekend Market, the Folk Heritage Museum, or you may wish to just go window shopping or perhaps try the one hour walk up to Tango Monastery at the head of the valley. It is then time to head off on a truly awe inspiring road as it zigzags up to the 3,140m-high mountain pass of Dochu La with its forests of fluttering prayer flags, maze of memorial chortens and, on a clear day, sweeping views of the main Himalayan range. As one arrives at the pass the air is heady with the scent of Daphne, a small shrub with fragrant white flowers, covering the slopes where a myriad of colorful prayer flags stand. The Daphne bark is used to make traditional Bhutanese paper, which has the rare characteristic of being termite proof and thus highly valued for writing religious scriptures. Etched against the brilliant blue winter sky are the magnificent white blossoms of the Magnolia Campbelli adorning the tall, leafless trees. The magnolias and the rhododendrons (etho methos) will continue to flower for the next two months. The scarlet rhododendrons being succeeded by other varieties: deep and pale pink, lavender, white, yellow, and orange. Some 54 varieties of this magnificent species are found in Bhutan. Time to stretch the legs with the short walk across rice paddies to Chimmi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as “Divine Madman.” infamous for his colourful and sometimes outrageous adherence to the Buddhist faith. The temple sits atop a picturesque hill surrounded by rice fields. Drukpa Kuenley built a chorten on the site in the 14th century, and it has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Duration of drive: 3 - 4 hours (76km) Overnight: Meri Puensum Hotel, Punakha DAY 3 Thursday June 4 th Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and Bazaar, Pele La, Chendebji Chorten, Trongsa An early morning start for further exploration of the Punakha valley, low enough (1200m) to allow bananas and oranges to grow. The destination for an optional early morning walk or by car - the massive architectural edifice of the 17th century Punakha Dzong (fortress/monastery) soon looms into view. Built in 1637 by Shabdung Nawang Namgyal in a commanding position at the confluence of the Po Chhu and Mo Chhu (Father and Mother rivers). Bhutan’s second oldest dzong goes by the full name of Druk Pungthang Decchen Phodrang (the Palace of Great Happiness) and is arguably the country's most attractive. It served as the seat of the Kingdom's government until the time of the second King and today serves as the winter home of Je Khempo, the head abbot of Bhutan, along with a retinue of 1,000 monks. After a stroll through the quaint bazaar at Wangdue Phodrang to visit its dzong it is time to leave for Trongsa. The pass to cross today is the Pele La (3420m) in the Black Mountains with countless yaks grazing on the dwarf bamboo found here. The village of Sephu provides a shopping opportunity in the form of woven bamboo mats and baskets and soon after guests can stretch their legs with a visit to Chendebji Chorten, a stupa built in the style of Swayambhunath (the monkey temple) in Kathmandu, which covers an evil spirit which was killed at this spot. Winding again through forest there is a good chance to see monkeys before reaching a spectacular viewpoint across a gorge to Trongsa Dzong. Our hotel for the night can be seen to the left of the town and though you can almost touch it the road teases you and takes another detour (14km) before reaching Trongsa. Duration of drive: 5 - 6 hours (135km) Overnight: Yangkhil Hotel, Trongsa DAY 4 Friday June 5 th Trongsa Dzong, Ta Dzong, Weaving Villages, Bumthang Built in 1648, Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty and the district administration office of the Trongsa district. Backing on to the mountain and built on several levels, the Dzong fits narrowly on a spur that sticks out into the gorge of the Mangde River and overlooks the routes south and west. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometres and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill overlooking the town and is worth the climb. The Journey to Bumthang is along one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan, passing pretty villages and monasteries dotted across wide open farm and wood land and several weaving concerns before entering Jakar, the market town serving the four valleys that encompass Bumthang. Home for the next 3 nights is the River Lodge Guesthouse, full of rustic but simple charm with most of what appears on the dining table actually produced on the farm. Flowers & Monasteries Central & West Bhutan GROUP 10 Nights June 2009 PB Duration of drive: 2.5 – 3 hours 68km Overnight: River Lodge, Bumthang Day 5 Saturday June 6 th Jakar Dzong, Wangdichholing Palace, Lamey Goemba, Kurjey Lhakhang , Tamshing Lhakhang Bumthang is the name for a region of four valleys in the East of Bhutan centred on the town of Jakar, which is the largest between Thimpu and Tashigang in the East. The area is of great spiritual significance in Bhutan, being strongly associated with myth and legend as well as more corporeal manifestations, such as the great Buddhist preacher, Pema Lingpa, to whose descendants the present dynasty traces its ancestry. The area is truly unspoilt and is famous for the production of honey, as well as cheese, apples, apricots and Red Panda beer. There is plenty to see and do during our time in Central Bhutan and your guide can help you plan a suitable itinerary.